Greencastle Turkey Trot 5K draws more than 500 runners

GREENCASTLE — What's one way to feel a little less guilty about overindulging on Thanksgiving?

Run a 5K before eating.

More than 500 runners turned out for the 10th annual Greencastle Turkey Trot 5K Thursday morning, continuing to grow one of our area's traditional gatherings.

"The turnout for this year's Trot was outstanding," event coordinator Rich Secrest said. "We had 528 runners, which is up from 464 last year. Even with the cold temperatures, people came out and ran."

Secrest, who originated the idea in 2001 while coaching cross country and track at Hagerstown Community College, brought the event with him upon his hiring as Greencastle-Antrim's head cross country coach in 2004, initially planning to simply use it as a fundraiser for his scholastic teams.

Now, a decade later, the Trot has evolved into something much greater.

"It's a reunion of sorts for family and friends," Secrest said. "As the years went by the event became more of a tradition for local runners and family members that wanted to reduce the holiday guilt by burning a few calories before the feast. Now, runners and non-runners alike look forward to getting out and sharing this holiday tradition."

While still serving its fundamental purpose as a fundraiser for G-A's track and cross country programs, the Turkey Trot also supports those in need, with non-perishable food donations benefiting the local food pantry (SCCAP) and used running shoes being collected for Nike's 'reuse-a-shoe' program.

As for Thursday's actual run, Chambersburg native Nick Rotz was crowned the overall event winner, completing the course — which starts and finishes behind the G-A High School — in a time of 16:38.